To move on snow
What is snowshoes?
Snowshoes are not shoes, as the name might suggest. They are basically a frame that is attached to existing winter shoes with a larger bearing surface so that you can walk in the snow without sinking too deeply. Snowshoes have been around for thousands of years in northern regions and have been used in conditions where skis, historically the most common means of transportation on snow in Scandinavia, have not been suitable for some reason, such as in dense forests or in the spring when the ground begins to thaw.
The development of snowshoes
Today’s snowshoes serve the same purpose as those used thousands of years ago, but they are made of completely different materials. The most common type in Scandinavia in the past was round and made of interwoven wicker or roots. They could also be made of wood and rawhide, by tying the rawhide like a net onto a wooden frame, which was then fastened with laces over the foot. Snowshoes were mainly used for hunting and forestry, and horses and other draft animals could also be fitted with snowshoes to pull timber through the forest in winter, for example. Today, most snowshoes are made of molded plastic or with an aluminum frame with a thinner “plastic sole” with spikes attached underneath.
The main difference with modern materials is that they are now lighter to walk with and are equipped with technical buckles that allow them to fit well on different shoes while being easy to take on and off when needed. Today’s snowshoes are mainly used for recreation and for getting out into nature and doing activities where your hands need to be free, for example, to take photos or hunt. Snowshoes are a much slower means of transportation than touring skis, so skis are preferable for longer trips, but poles are not necessary for walking with snowshoes unless the hiker prefers to use them.
Different types of snowshoes
Scandinavian snowshoes, formerly known as trygor or trugor, differ from American snowshoes in that they are more or less round or square in shape. North American snowshoes, on the other hand, have historically been shaped like a racket. Traditional North American snowshoes were made of wood and leather and were long and narrow or pear-shaped, often curved at the front to make walking in snow easier. The indigenous peoples of America used two main types of snowshoes: wide and rounder ones used on the prairies, and longer and narrower ones used in wooded areas. Today’s modern snowshoes are most similar in shape to traditional North American snowshoes.
Walking on snowshoes
Anyone who can walk on slightly uneven ground, such as a fitness trail or forest path, can also walk on snowshoes. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to make walking on snowshoes easier.
The first thing to consider when putting on snowshoes is that today’s snowshoes have right and left shoes, with the binding buckle determining which is which. The buckle should always be on the outside of the foot to reduce the risk of tripping or the buckle opening in the middle of a step. You usually need to widen your stride slightly so that you don’t step on your own snowshoes. Most modern snowshoes have a buckle that allows you to choose between a fixed or loose heel. A fixed heel means that the entire surface of the snowshoe follows the movement of your foot, which is the most stable position for walking. With a loose heel, the attachment point is at the toes of your boot and is more similar to a touring or cross-country ski binding in terms of movement. This is usually perceived as a more comfortable and flexible walk, but not as stable as with a fixed heel.
When standing still with snowshoes, it can be a good idea to lock the heel in place to stand stably on the snow, for example if you are going to stop and take a photo. Taking a step backwards with snowshoes with a loose heel almost guarantees a small fall, as the tip at the back of the snowshoe tends to get stuck in the snow, which a fixed heel would not do in the same way.
Many of today’s snowshoes are equipped with a “heel lifter” that is used to make walking on steeper terrain more comfortable. These are mainly used by snowboarders going on summit tours or ice climbers who need to traverse difficult terrain to reach various ice falls.
Poles are not necessary for snowshoeing, as the point is often to be able to move with your hands free to do other things, but some people prefer to use poles for convenience.
Safety
Snowshoeing itself is relatively risk-free. What you need to keep in mind during a snowshoe hike is that you know how to use a map and compass and can orient yourself, and that you have checked the weather forecast to reduce the risk of being surprised by unpleasant weather. Snowshoes are mainly used off-trail, and getting lost or walking in limited visibility can cause problems. It is always recommended to carry a vind sack and shovel in your backpack on longer trips, as well as extra clothing to keep you warm in case of emergencies or coffee breaks.
Also, give some extra thought to the right of public access and your responsibility when spending time in nature. “Don’t disturb, don’t destroy” is a good basic principle.
Note that snowshoeing is a quiet activity, so animals can be surprised and frightened when we humans are in their home environment, even when we ourselves do not feel that we are causing any disturbance. “What is hidden in the snow will come out in the thaw.” It is never okay to leave trash, chewing gum, snuff, or cigarette butts in nature, and please take anything you find on your trip to a trash can.
During the winter, it is especially important to take your trash home with you, as it can blow away and remain in nature for years without decomposing.
See you in the winter wonderland!